Hydraulic monitor incorporating improved power-operated and manually operated swivel joint

ABSTRACT

The low-friction swivel joint in the hydraulic monitor has incorporated therein a worm wheel, the latter being rotated by a worm driven by a fluid motor. A second and corresponding swivel joint is also provided, being driven by fluid which is passed through the first-mentioned joint in order that there will be no twisting of pipes or conduits. The second joint effects rotation of a portion of the monitor about a horizontal axis, whereas the first-mentioned joint effects rotation of the monitor about a vertical axis.

United States Patent Inventor Leondras A. Warren Whittier, Calif. Appl. No. 26,878 Filed Apr. 9, 1970 Division of Ser. No. 755,919, Aug. 28, 1963 abandoned. Patented Apr. 20, 1971 Assignee Stang l-lydronics inc.

Orange, Calif.

HYDRAULIC MONITOR INCORPORATING IWROVED POWER-OPERATED AND MANUALLY OPERATED SWIVEL JOINT 5 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 239/227, 74/425, 239/587 Int. Cl BOSb 3/02,

[50] Field of Search 74/425; 239/227, 587

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,578,151 12/195 1 Ronfeldt 74/425 3,074,649 I /l963 Atkinson 239/227X Primary Examiner-Leonard H. Gerin Attorney-Gausewitz & Carr SCT: The low-friction swivel joint in the hydraulic monitor has incorporated therein a worm wheel, the latter being rotated by a worm driven by a fluid motor. A second and corresponding swivel joint is also provided, being driven by fluid which is passed through the first-mentioned joint in order that there will be no twisting of pipes or conduits. The second joint effects rotation of a portion of the monitor about a horizontal axis, whereas the first-mentioned joint effects rotation of the monitor about a vertical axis.

2 Sheets-Sheet l 1 INVENTOR.

Lea/wens A. MREEN Ar roe/v5 rs ll-ilifllltlltAlUlLllC lldlONllTOli i llNCOliWOiAATllNG ili/WlllOl/Ell) WO J llEllt-OflElitA'll'llEillt AND MANUAlLlLlf OlPlElltA'l'lEllI fiWll'i/lilll. ,lOliNT CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This is a division of my copending patent application, Ser. No. 755,919, filed Aug. 28, 1968, now abandoned for Hydraulic Monitor incorporating Power-Operated and Manually-Operated Swivel-Joint li /leans.

BACKGROUND OlF Til-TE lNVENTlON 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to the field of hydraulic monitors incorporating power-operated swivel joints.

2. Description of the ll rior Art Swivel joints, normally incorporating ball bearings, have previously been employed in the field of hydraulic monitors, and in numerous other fields, but have not heretofore incorporated means permitting effective power operation through use of rotary fluid motors. More particularly, the prior art has not provided a highly simple, economical, rugged and effective means for rotating swivel joint components relative to each other, particularly when the swivel joints are series related and are to be driven by rotary fluid motor means. it is especially desirable that the rotation be effected by a worm gear assembly since this provides a high mechanical advantage and, furthermore, effects locking of the joint components relative to each other during periods when no rotation is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION in accordance with the present invention, the internal component of at least the vertical swivel joint in the hydraulic monitor has formed coaxially thereon a worm wheel, the latter being meshed with a worm (driven by a fluid motor) which is rotatably mounted on a stationary extemal component of such vertical swivel joint. A second and corresponding swivel joint is provided in the monitor in order to effect rotation about a different axis. Fluid is caused to flow to and from a fluid motor associated with such second swivel joint, the fluid supply and drainage occurring through the first swivel joint to thus prevent twisting of the hydraulic or pneumatic conduits.

BRIEF OESCRIPTlON OF THE DRAWlNGS MG. 11 is a perspective view of a hydraulic monitor constructed in accordance with the present invention and incorporating first and wcond swivel joints;

lFlG. 2 is an enlarged vertical section along line 2-2 of HG.

H0. 3 is a horizontal section on line 3-3 of FIG. 2; and HG. d is a horizontal section on line til of MG. 2.

DESCRIZPII'IION OlF THE PREFERRED EMBODTMENT Referring to lFlG. l, a hydraulic monitor or giant is illustrated as having a nozzle portion til which is fixedly associated with a loop or intermediate portion till. Loop it connects to a swivel joint t2 the axis of which is generally horizontal. Swivel joint T2, in turn, connects through a 90 elbow E3 to a swivel joint M the axis of which is generally vertical. Swivel joints l2 and lid are power or manually operated, as described in detail below, to effect rotating of nozzle it) about either a horizontal or a vertical axis, so that the nozzle lit may be directed in any manner desired.

The illustrated hydraulic monitor is of the general type described and claimed in prior art Miscovich US. Pat. Nos. 2,612,402; 2,680,650 and 2,998,199. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention is also applicable to other types of hydraulic monitors, and to certain other types of equipment, which do not necessarily incorporate the intermediate loop ill which is a major feature of the Proceeding to a description of the swivel joint 14, this is illustrated in lFlGS. 2-4 to comprise an external tubular bearing member or housing to which is welded or otherwise rigidly secured to a pedestal portion 117 of the hydraulic monitor. Such pedestal l7 has a flanged base 13 (FIG. 1) which is secured by bolts 19 to a suitable floor or horizontal support 2th. The member 116 forms a bearing for a tubular journal element 21 mounted coaxially therein and having an upper portion 22 which extends above the upper rim of the bearing in.

In order to minimize friction, bearing balls 24- are provided in horizontal ball races 25 and 26 formed, respectively, in bearing llti and in journal 211. One set of balls and cooperating races is relatively adjacent the lower end of bearing rs, whereas a second set is spaced a considerable distance upwardly therefrom but preferably substantially below the upper bearing rim. The antifriction rotation of journal 21 in bearing lift is transmitted to the swivel joint i2, intermediate loop portion ill and nozzle lid, since the upper end of the journal is suitably welded or otherwise rigidly and sealingly attached to elbow 13. Although the described ball bearings are preferred, other types of antifriction roller bearings may be employed if desired.

The portion of journal 21 between the upper and lower ball bearing assemblies is formed with external annular grooves 27 and 23 between which is an external worm wheel 29. The worm wheel is coaxial and preferably integral with the journal element 211, and has an outer diameter sudiciently small to prevent engagement with the interior cylindrical surface of bearing element to. Thus, the outer portions of the worm wheel are generally flush with the exterior cylindrical surface 33 (FIG. 2) of the journal element, such cylindrical surface being radially inward from the corresponding interior cylindrical surface of bearing to.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a worm 311 is meshed with the worm wheel 23, the worm being mounted or formed coaxially on a horizontal shaft 32 the end portions of which are suitably journaled in a worm housing 33. Housing 33 is, in turn, welded to the housing or bearing element to and is therefore fixed in position relative to the pedestal l7 and the underlying support 203. it follows that rotation of the worm 311 will rotate the worm wheel 2% and thus effect rotation about a vertical axis of the journal element 2i and of the upper portionof the hydraulic monitor.

One end of shaft 32 is suitably coupled (FIG. 3) to a rotary fluid motor 3d, the motor being preferably hydraulic (although a pneumatic motor may also be employed). The other end of shaft 32 is connected to a handwheel 35 and/or may be connected to an electric motor, not shown. It follows that the shaft 32 and the worm 3t thereon may be rotated hydraulically, manually or electrically, it being understood that the primary manner of rotation of the shaft and the worm is preferably hydraulic. The casing of the motor 34 is rigidly secured to worm housing 33, for example by means of cooperating flange plates. The construction of the swivel joint l2, adapted to effect rotation about a horizontal axis, is identical to the construction of the portion of joint 14 thus far described. Thus, joint i2 has an external housing or bearing member 16a on which is mounted a housing 330 and a rotary hydraulic motor 344. Operation of motor 34a effects rotation of a worm and worm wheel to thus pivot the monitor portions it) and 11 about a horizontal axis.

it is to be understood that the elbow 113 is fixedly connected to the housing or hearing portion llfia as by welding, whereas the internal journal element (not shown) is fixedly connected to the adjacent end of intermediate loop it. At the opposite end of housing 33a from motor 3th: is a handwheel corresponding to the one indicated at 33.

The hydraulic circuit to the motor 33 for vertical swivel joint it includes lines or conduits 3t and 3'7 connected to a suitable fluid control and associated pump or other pressure drained from the other when it is desired to rotate motor 34 in one direction, and is introduced into such other line and drained from such one line when it is desired to rotate the motor in the reverse direction.

There will next be described the means to supply liquid to the motor 34a for horizontal swivel joint 12. Referring to FIG. 2, an annular groove 38 is provided about the entire circumference of housing or bearing 16 at the interior surface thereof, such groove communicating through a port 39 with a conduit or line 42 leading to a suitable liquid source and control. First and second transfer rings 43 and 44 formed of elastomeric material are respectively provided above and below groove 33, such transfer rings being above the upper ball bearing assembly. Each transfer ring has a generally U- shaped cross section the arms of which extend toward the plane of the groove, the result being that the presence of fluid pressure in the groove increases the degree of sealing effected by the arms of the transfer rings. In order to permit a certain amount of flexing of the interior arms of the transfer rings, a radial gap or clearance 46 (FIG. 2) is provided between the interior housing surface and the exterior cylindrical surface of journal member 21.

Regardless of the rotated position of the journal element 21 in bearing element 16, the fluid conduit d2 and port 39 communicate through annular groove 38 with a passage 47 formed in journal element 21. Passage 47, in turn, communicates at the upper portion 22 of the journal element with a fluid conduit or line 48 leading to motor 34a for the horizontal swivel joint 12. Since the position of journal element 21 is fixed relative to motor 340, there is no flexing or twisting of conduit 48 despite rotation of element 21 about the vertical axis through any number of degrees or any number of revolutions.

In like manner, a second conduit 51 leading to a fluid pressure source (and control) communicates with a port 52 and an annular groove 53, both formed in housing or bearing 16. The groove 53 communicates at all times with a passage 54 (FIG. 4) in journal element 21, and such pasage communicates with a line or conduit 56 leading to the remaining port of motor 34a. First and second transfer rings 57 and 58 are provided on opposite sides of groove 53, such transfer rings corresponding to those 53 and 44 previously indicated.

When it is desired to rotate monitor sections and 11 about a horizontal axis through swivel joint 12, hydraulic fluid is introduced from a suitable source into line 32, such fluid passing through port 3%, groove 38, passage 417 and line 48 to one port of motor 34a. Simultaneously, hydraulic fluid drains from motor 340 through line 56, passage 54 (FlG. 4), groove 53, port 52 and line 51 to a suitable drain. To reverse the direction of rotation, the direction of fluid flow through the two lines is merely reversed by the control means.

It is a feature of the invention that the sealing means for the transfer or fluid-connector portions of the apparatus serve also to prevent leakage of lubricant liquid from the chambers containing the bearing balls 24, the worm wheel 29 and the worm 31. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, it is emphasized that the chamber defined within housing 33 communicates at all times with the annular grooves 27 and 28 adjacent the worm wheel. Such grooves communicate with the regions adjacent the balls 24. When lubricant fluid is introduced into the housing 33, for example through a suitable lubricant fitting indicated at 59, such fluid lubricates the worm 31 and worm wheel 2? and also the balls 24 and races therefor. Such fluid is prevented from leaking due to the presence of the ring 443 (F IG. 2) for groove 38.

At the lower end of the journal element 21, the lubricant fluid is prevented from leaking due to the presence of sealing rings indicated at 61 and 62. However, the primary function of such rings is to prevent leakage of high-pressure water from the swivel joint.

Suitable sealing means are provided in the horizontal swivel joint 160, at the ends thereof and outwardly of the ball bearing assemblies, in order to prevent leakage of water or lubricant fluid therefrom. It is to be understood that in the event the construction is such that an additional swivel joint and associated hydraulic motor is to be provided downstream from the horizontal swivel joint 12, then such joint 12 may be constructed identically to joint 14 and may incorporate transfer rings as does the joint 14. Swivel joint 14 would then have an additional pair of grooves (and associated transfer rings) corresponding to grooves 38 and 53.

In the described manner, a simple, rugged and effective apparatus is provided to rotate various portions of the hydraulic monitor about vertical and horizontal axes, and to maintain such portions locked when no rotation is desired. There is a high mechanical advantage, permitting use of relatively small motors 34 and 34a, and permitting relatively easy manual rotation of the swivel joints through use of handwheels. Accordingly, the stream of water which emanates from nozzle 10 (after flowing through pedestal 17, joint 14, elbow 13, joint 12, and loop 11) may be readily directed in any manner desired.

The foregoing detailed description is to be clearly understood as given by way of illustration and example only, the spirit and scope of this invention being limited solely by the appended claims.

lclaim:

l. A hydraulic monitor, which comprises:

a fixedly mounted pedestal or base having a generally vertical bearing element at the upper end thereof,

a vertical journal element rotatably mounted coaxially in said bearing element,

first and second roller-bearing assemblies provided between said bearing element and said journal element to minimize friction therebetween,

an elbow connected to said journal element and having a generally horizontal oriented bearing element at the end thereof remote from said vertical bearing element and vertical journal element,

a horizontal journal element rotatably mounted coaxially in said horizontal bearing element, third and fourth roller-bearing assemblies provided between said horizontal bearing element and said horizontal journal element to minimize friction therebetween,

nozzle means connected to said horizontal journal element and adapted to receive water therefrom, from said elbow and from said pedestal or base,

worm wheels provided fixedly and exteriorly on said vertical and horizontal journal elements coaxially within the associated bearing elements,

worms meshed with said respective worm wheels,

means to mount said worms rotatably on the respective bearing elements, fluid motors mounted on the respective bearing elements and connected to said worms to rotate the same,

fluid-supply means connected to the fluid motor associated with said vertical bearing element and vertical journal element, and

second fluid-supply means for the fluid motor associated with said horizontal bearing element and said horizontal journal element,

said second fluid-supply means including transfer means incorporated between said vertical bearing element and vertical journal element.

2. The invention as claimed in claim 1, in which first and second sets of elastomeric transfer rings are provided between said vertical bearing element and said vertical journal element, in which the interior surface of said vertical bearing element is provided with an annular groove between the rings in each set thereof, in which fluid supply and fluid drainage conduits are connected through ports to said annular grooves, and in which passage means are provided in said vertical journal element to conduct fluid from said annular grooves to conduits or lines leading to said hydraulic motor for said horizontal bearing element and journal element.

3. A hydraulic monitor, which comprises:

a hollow pedestal or base mounted in generally vertical relationship, at least a portion of said pedestal being interiorly generally cylindrical, said generally cylindrical portion including a bearing section,

a vertical journal element rotatably mounted in said generally cylindrical portion, said vertical journal element being hollow,

first and second roller-bearing assemblies provided between said bearing section and said vertical journal element to minimize friction therebetween, said roller-bearing assemblies being spaced apart relative to each other,

a hollow elbow connected to said vertical journal element and having a generally horizontal oriented bearing element at the end thereof remote from said vertical journal element,

a horizontal journal element rotatably mounted coaxially in said horizontal bearing element, said horizontal journal element being hollow,

roller bearing means provided between said horizontal bearing element and said horizontal journal element to minimize friction therebetween,

nozzle means connected to said horizontal journal element and adapted to receive water therefrom, from said elbow, and from said vertical journal element,

a worm wheel provided fixedly and exteriorly on said vertical journal element and coaxially within said bearing section of said generally cylindrical portion,

a worm meshed with said worm wheel,

means to mount said worm rotatably on said bearing section of said generally cylindrical portion,

a rotary-type fluid motor mounted adjacent said bearing section of said generally cylindrical portion and connected to said worm to rotate the same through any number of revolutions in either direction,

a fluid-motor means associated with said horizontal journal element to rotate the same in said horizontal bearing element,

first fluid supply means connected to said rotary-type fluid motor to operate the same in order to effect driving of said worm through any number of revolutions, and

second fluid-supply means connected to said fluidmotor means associated with said horizontal journal element, said second fluid-supply means including fluid-transfer means incorporated between said generally cylindrical portion and said vertical journal element.

4. The invention as claimed in claim 3, in which said second fluid-supply means comprises first and second pairs of fluidtransfer sealing rings provided between said generally cylindrical portion and said vertical journal element, an annular groove provided between the fluid-transfer rings in each pair thereof, fluid-supply and fluid-drainage conduits connected to said respective annular grooves, and passage means provided in said vertical journal element and communicating with said respective annular grooves to conduct fluid to and from said fluid-motor means associated with said horizontal journal element.

5. The invention as claimed in claim 4, in which said worm wheel is provided between said first and second roller-bearing assemblies. 

1. A hydraulic monitor, which comprises: a fixedly mounted pedestal or base having a generally vertical bearing element at the upper end thereof, a vertical journal element rotatably mounted coaxially in said bearing element, first and second roller-bearing assemblies provided between said bearing element and said journal element to minimize friction therebetween, an elbow connected to said journal element and having a generally horizontal oriented bearing element at the end thereof remote from said vertical bearing element and vertical journal element, a horizontal journal element rotatably mounted coaxially in said horizontal bearing element, third and fourth roller-bearing assemblies provided between said horizontal bearing element and said horizontal journal element to minimize friction therebetween, nozzle means connected to said horizontal journal element and adapted to receive water therefrom, from said elbow and from said pedestal or base, worm wheels provided fixedly and exteriorly on said vertical and horizontal journal elements coaxially within the associated bearing elements, worms meshed with said respective worm wheels, means to mount said worms rotatably on the respective bearing elements, fluid motors mounted on the respective bearing elements and connected to said worms to rotate the same, fluid-supply means connected to the fluid motor associated with said vertical bearing element and vertical journal element, and second fluid-supply means for the fluid motor associated with said horizontal bearing element and said horizontal journal element, said second fluid-supply means including transfer means incorporated between said vertical bearing element and vertical journal element.
 2. The invention as claimed in claim 1, in which first and second sets of elastomeric transfer rings are provided between said vertical bearing element and said vertical journal element, in which the interior surface of said vertical bearing element is provided with an annular groove between the rings in each set thereof, in which fluid supply and fluid drainage conduits are connected through ports to said annular grooves, and in which passage means are provided in said vertical journal element to conduct fluid from said annular grooves to conduits or lines leading to said hydraulic motor for said horizontal bearing element and journal element.
 3. A hydraulic monitor, which comprises: a hollow pedestal or base mounted in generally vertical relationship, at least a portion of said pedestal being interiorly generally cylindrical, said generally cylindrical portion including a bearing section, a vertical journal element rotatably mounted in said generally cylindrical portion, said vertical journal element being hollow, first and second roller-bearing assemblies provided between said bearing section and said vertical journal element to minimize friction therebetween, said roller-bearing assemblies being spaced apart relative to each other, a hollow elbow connected to said vertical journal element and having a generally horizontal oriented bearing element at the end thereof remote from said vertical journal element, a horizontal journal element rotatably mounted coaxially in said horizontal bearing element, said horizontal journal element being hollow, roller bearing means provided between said horizontal bearing element and said horizontal journal element to minimize friction therebetween, nozzle means connected to said horizontal journal element and adapted to receive water therefrom, from said elbow, and from said vertical journal element, a worm wheel provided fixedly and exteriorly on said vertical journal element and coaxially within said bearing section of said generally cylindrical portion, a worm meshed with said worm wheel, means to mount said worm rotatably on said bearing section of said generally cylindrical portion, a rotary-type fluid motor mounted adjacent said bearing section of said generally cylindrical portion and connected to said worm to rotate the same through any number of revolutions in either direction, a fluid-motor means associated with said horizontal journal element to rotate the same in said horizontal bearing element, first fluid supply means connected to said rotary-type fluid motor to operate the same in order to effect driving of said worm through any number of revolutions, and second fluid-supply means connected to said fluid-motor means associated with said horizontal journal element, said second fluid-supply means including fluid-transfer means incorporated between said generally cylindrical portion and said vertical journal element.
 4. The invention as claimed in claim 3, in which said second fluid-supply means comprises first and second pairs of fluid-transfer sealing rings provided between said generally cylindrical portion and said vertical journal element, an annular groove provided between the fluid-transfer rings in each pair thereof, fluid-supply and fluid-drainage conduits connected to said respective annular grooves, and passage means provided in said vertical journal element and communicating with said respective annular grooves to conduct fluid to and from said fluid-motor means associated with said horizontal journal element.
 5. The invention as claimed in claim 4, in which said worm wheel is provided between said first and second roller-bearing assemblies. 